Citroen DS3 2014 range revamp revealed

This is the updated Citroen DS3, which offers a fresh look and new engines, including one capable of 94mpg. Strangely, the brand new headlights are only standard on the high-spec DS3 DSport model but an option on lesser DSign and DStyle versions.

The headlights themselves are xenon units with an LED running light element, and Citroen claims the concept car-inspired lights consume 35 per cent less energy on dipped beam, and 75 per cent less when on main beam. The 20,000-hour life-span of the lights is said to be 20 times that of an old-school halogen light to boot. Meanwhile, LED lights remain standard-fit at the back of the DS3.

Two new 1.6-litre engine choices join the DS3’s powertrain line up for 2014 and beyond. The greenest is choice is the BlueHDi 100 turbodiesel, which Citroen claims will average an ambitious 94mpg, while coughing out only 79g/km of CO2 – the lowest emissions of any supermini in the class.

There’s also a more powerful BlueHDi 120 turbodiesel, which offers an extra 20bhp but inferior economy, at 78mpg and 94g/km. Citroen claims a 4 per cent reduction in overall CO2 output versus the outgoing DS3 diesels, and a whopping 90 per cent cut in harmful NOx emissions.

A new 1.2-litre 69mpg, 95g/km petrol engine with 81bhp and an automated five-speed manual gearbox will also be offered in some European market, but Citroen is still unsure whether to offer it in the UK. 

New tech talking points come in the form of an active city braking function, which activates the brakes if an object I sensed ahead of the car at speeds of up to 20mph. An optional reversing camera is also now available for the DS3 – a handy option for the Cabrio model and its pillbox rear visibility.  

A laser-etched dashboard finish, new colours and a new design of 17-inch alloy wheel round off the updates for the new DS3, which goes on sale in July 2014. Non-DSport models will continue on sale as before, but you’ll be able to specify the natty new headlights as a cost option.

Find out about or best supermini recommendations here.